Morenci schools: Morenci's wellness policy

Written by David Green.

By DAVID GREEN

Educators and the public alike are often unhappy with new rules from Washington, but a piece of legislation passed in 2004 could prove to be a benefit for everyone. The new law requires that any district that participates in the National School Lunch Program must have a wellness policy in place by July of this year.

The creation of a wellness policy forces every district to take a close look at its nutritional and physical education programs, to determine if what’s offered in the cafeteria is in the best of interest of children’s health and what is taught in gym class will serve children’s health now and in the future.

Morenci Board of Education members are taking a look at the proposed policy created by a wellness committee. Much of what they found was to their liking. Superintendent Kyle Griffith believes Morenci is ahead of many districts.

For example, the soft drink machines are located outside the school building and are unplugged during the day. The cafeteria is serving low fat dressings and breakfast cereals with reduced sugar.

The changes made here in recent months might seem like small steps, but a lot of little alterations add up to make a big difference.

The committee is charged with taking an on-going look at the many facets of the wellness policy and additional changes will undoubtedly be made.

School officials will do their part in trying to make Morenci students healthy. The remainder of the effort must come from the home where parents, too, need to take a look at “home policies” for raising healthy children.